Founded in 1961, AED is an independent,
nonprofit organization committed to solving critical social problems in the U.S. and throughout the world through education, research, training, social marketing,
policy analysis and innovative program design and management.
Major areas of focus include health, education, youth development, and the environment.¶ The Academy for Educational Development (AED), a recognized international leader in behavior change communication and social marketing as it relates to nutrition, health, family planning and AIDS programs, is currently working on two major projects in Africa --
LINKAGES and
BASICS
-- which focus on maternal and infant nutrition and child survival.
Both projects have had excellent results.¶ Case Study in Madagascar:
Up until the completion of their Madagascar program in 1998, BASICS
helped families improve healthy behaviors using a variety of communication
channels, including: counseling by health workers, local radio spots
and skits, inserts in local newspapers, national television and using flags
to signal vaccination days. The results for child health and nutrition
have been impressive. Today LINKAGES, with other AED partners, continues
this work to promote infant nutrition in the country.

1996

1998

Percentage of children 12-23 months who are fully immunized:

57%

78%

Percentage of women who begin breastfeeding within 60 minutess of delivery:

21%

69%

Percentage of infants 0-6 monts who are exclusively breast-fed:

48%

72%

Percentage of children 12-23 months receiving at least five daily meals: